“You are,” Qurrah said. “You are, now try!”

A brief flash of anger overwhelmed her shy features, then retreated just as quickly.

“Fine,” Tessanna said, her voice dead. “You want her saved. You want her to live. Then she will.”

The white light darkened to gray. Aurelia gasped for air, seeming awake although her eyes remained shut. A new spell spilled from Tessanna’s lips, whose words of power jolted Tarlak with recognition.

“No, don’t!” he shouted. It was too late. The girl arched her entire body away from Aurelia, only her iron grip keeping her from falling. A scream of pain came from those beautiful lips. The paleness of Aurelia’s skin retreated, pulled away like smoke in the wind. The death seeped into Tessanna, filling her veins. At last, the spell complete, she released her grip and collapsed.

“Tessanna!” Qurrah cried, rushing to her side. Harruq was not far behind, taking Aurelia’s hand and feeling the warmth inside.

“She took the poison into herself,” Tarlak said, staring at Tessanna with a look of both admiration and horror. “Harruq, pick her up. We must get her to the priests, immediately.”

“Why can we take her but not Aurry?” the half-orc asked.

“I have my reasons, now do as I say!” Tarlak shouted. No longer was he the kindly wizard. The leader of the Eschaton stood in that room, and he would accept nothing short of perfect obedience. Harruq knelt down and scooped the thin girl into his arms. Tarlak stepped away from the others and opened a portal into the heart of Veldaren. He stepped inside, followed by the two half-orcs and the dying girl.

T hey exited in front of an ancient stone temple, lined with pillars and carved of rare alabaster stone. Tarlak leapt up the steps, and when a young man dressed in robes moved to stop them, the wizard waved his hand, completely paralyzing him.

“Sorry, young priest, I have no time.” He shoved open the doors, the others following in his wake. Inside was grand and open. Huge columns lined the outer walls, and a painted ceiling of magically strengthened glass depicting the seven lessons loomed above them. Several priests milled about, the symbol of the golden mountain across their chests.